Organic farming needs more support from people and government, says paddy variety protector in Dakshina Kannada

On Sunday, April 28, BK Deva Rao, an 80-year-old paddy variety protector from Mitavagir, expressed concern over the decline of paddy cultivation in Dakshina Kannada and called for people and government support for organic cultivation of paddy and crops. I asked for

Speaking at an organic agriculture consumer group function in Mangaluru, Mr. Rao, who recently won the 'Plant Genome Savior Farmer Award' for preserving different varieties of paddy by cultivating it every year, said that over the years, the area under paddy cultivation has been significantly reduced. He said that it had decreased. It had collapsed and the fields were used to grow arecanuts and rubber.

The suspension of paddy cultivation has caused a serious drop in groundwater levels. This is because farmers installed wells to meet arecanut's water needs. Water shortages have forced farmers to reduce the area they cultivate paddy fields. “The area under the paddy field has been reduced to about three acres compared to the 20 acres we were cultivating earlier,” he says.

Expressing the need to encourage organic paddy cultivation, Mr. Rao said he cultivates over 200 varieties of paddy using traditional methods at his agricultural farm. “These varieties are grown in small plots. I make sure that the paddy seedlings have the right amount of water, natural fertilizers and nutrients.” Regarding other challenges in organic farming, Mr. Rao expressed the need for more support from consumers and governments to promote organic farming.

GR Prasad, chairman of the Mangaluru Organic Farmers and Consumers Group, on Sunday announced the launch of the 'Sabayava Balaga Mangaluru Farmers Producers Organization' to support organic farmers and consumers. The new organization will seek to provide market intervention to farmers and better facilities to store their produce. It will provide e-commerce facilities for farmers to sell their produce and arrange organic nutrients and fertilizers. The organization helps farmers receive assistance from government and other agencies.

Ratnakar Kulai, secretary of the Organic Agriculture Consumers' Group, said that a massive drive will be held in July-August to promote organic farming and its techniques in schools in Dakshina Kannada.

Sharada Group of Institutions Chairman MB Puranik launched the group's new website www.savayavabalaga.org. Harekara, an orange fruit seller turned educator, has released the group's new T-shirt and cap.